Social Work, B.S.W

UNC Charlotte’s Bachelor in Social Work Program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, the national accrediting body for social work education programs. The degree prepares graduates for generalist social work practice. Generalist practice relates to using multiple types of intervention that would be useful for different types of social systems and client populations. Emphases are placed on development of therapeutic working relationships with clients; assessment of client systems from a diversity-affirming, ecological-systems perspective; establishment of accurate and appropriate problem definitions and goals for intervention; utilization of varying intervention approaches, depending on the unique characteristics and needs of diverse client systems; linkage with resources; empowerment through identifying client strengths and enhancing client problem-solving, coping, and developmental capacities; and the application of baccalaureate-level research and evaluation methods.

The School of Social Work has partnerships with more than 200 urban and rural practicum placement agencies serving vulnerable populations in the Charlotte region, enabling students, practicum instructors, and practicum faculty to work together to ensure students gain the knowledge and build the skills they need to be competent practitioners.

Current students who are in good academic standing at UNC Charlotte are eligible to declare Social Work as their major. In so doing, they enter into Lower Division admission status in the major but are not yet considered to be students enrolled in the BSW Program (Upper Division). Entering into Upper Division, also termed BSW Program, requires an application and is a competitive process.